Ladies lose out in Newry thriller

Lidl Ladies NFL Division Three

Down 4-10 Roscommon 4-9

Roscommon’s long trip to Newry last Sunday wasn’t a fruitful one as they went down by a single point in a match the outcome of which was in doubt right up to the final kick.

  However, it must be said that both sides were guilty of conceding soft goals throughout and in that regard Roscommon were playing ‘catch up’ for most of the match.

  Down dominated possession in the first half but found themselves 2-0 to 0-1 down after seven minutes after Laura Fleming – making her 100^th appearance for Roscommon – and Lisa O’Rourke got in for goals for the visitors.

  Yet, incredibly, it was 2-3 to 2-0 after only 14 minutes after goals for the home side from Sarah Doherty and Orla Swail.

  Down went further ahead in the 20th minute when Jessica Foy converted a penalty, but with Aisling Hanly scoring two fine points and Niamh Shanagher fisting home a goal in the 30th minute, there was just two points between the team at half-time: Down 3-5 Roscommon 3-3.

  Roscommon played their best football in the third quarter and four points without reply saw them ahead by 3-8 to 3-6 by the 48th minute.

  Then Jessica Foy scored an opportunist 50^th minute goal for the home side, and two further points saw Down up by four with seven minutes to go.

  Then Roscommon sub Jenny Higgins scored the goal of the game to bring Roscommon back into it, now just a point in arrears. Unfortunately Ollie Lennon’s side just couldn’t secure an equaliser and Down held on for the narrowest of wins.

Roscommon: Helena Cummins: Aine McGrath, Rachel Brady, Megan Kelly; Roisin Wynne, Rachel Fitzmaurice, Saoirse Timon; Kate Nolan (0-1), Lisa O’Rourke (1-2); Laura Fleming (1-2, 2 frees), Fiona Tully, Caroline Conway; Aisling Hanly (0-3), Niamh Shanagher (1-0), Niamh Feeney. Subs: Aisling McAulliffe for Timon (22), Sinead Kenny for McGrath (h/t), Abbey Curran for Conway (42), Jenny Higgins (1-1) for Tully (52), Michaela McHugh for Nolan (57).